UPM
Creating Sustainable Global Connections

Utility Pole Masters, LLC (UPM) has strategically established itself at the forefront of the telecommunications engineering industry, adeptly navigating the sector's distinct challenges with unmatched precision and foresight.

Possessing a collective of over two decades of extensive experience, UPM excels in a multitude of Turn-Key services including outside plant (OSP) field engineering, surveying, NESC & GO95 compliances, engineered High Level KMZ planning, detailed drafting, encroachment permit processing. This broad spectrum of expertise renders UPM a versatile and reliable partner in the telecommunications and infrastructure space, consistently achieving operational excellence, meticulous accuracy, and seamless project delivery.

With UPM Leaders having distinguished history of collaborations with prominent industry players such as ComCast, MCI, Crown Castle, Zayo, Race Communications, Verizon Business, Frontier Communications, DWP, PG&E, and SCE. UPM's proficiencies in its current 25 state contract with Frontier Communications has enhanced project efficiency, anticipated potential obstacles, and formulated strategic solutions is wellrecognized. Its expansive service reach, covering multiple states across the U.S., underscores its capacity to undertake and successfully execute large-scale projects, reinforcing its standing as a leader in the field. While also having expertise as project managers in the past collaborative projects with Henkels & McCoy in Oregon, and Washington with past previous employment.

Jonathan Mata, UPM's Owner and OSP Executive Director of Engineering, says, "We are channeling the extensive knowledge we've gathered over the past two decades into ongoing innovation, ensuring we remain an essential partner with every client collaboration."

UPM's dedication to continuous innovation echoes throughout its trajectory, tracing a journey from modest beginnings to its current prominence in the telecommunications and infrastructure sectors. Instrumental in this journey have been the founders, who commenced their careers in the industry at the grassroots level, progressing from fieldwork to engineering, management, and directorial roles.

The corporation differentiates itself through thorough preparation, collaborative efforts, and a commitment to high standards and quality service. Its mission to foster innovation revolves around leveraging its extensive knowledge base cultivated throughout its years in the industry. UPM’s foundational values—integrity, ethics, diversity, dependability and sustainability—are integral to its operations, ensuring its enduring success and client prosperity.

Paul Camarena III, UPM Partner and Director of Operations ensures these principles are augmented by UPM's strong management, effective cost control, consistent delivery of high-quality products and services, and demonstrated technical expertise, all of which contribute to the company's operational excellence.

To increase its efficiency, UPM has developed bespoke applications and Excel spreadsheet tools that eliminate human error in complex calculations, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of project documentation.

A Proactive Approach to Project Success

UPM adopts a proactive and thorough approach, ensuring excellence from project inception through to completion. The collaborative process is initiated upon receipt of a preliminary project plan from the client, typically presented as a rudimentary outline on a Google Earth map (KMZ), and layout schematics of existing client infrastructures. Leveraging their expertise in all departments, UPM's adept team undertakes a thorough review, focusing on refining essential elements including precise address verification and determining the most efficient route for service deployment.

After enhancing the plan with its specialized expertise, UPM submits it to the client for review and approval. Once approved, the refined plan is entered into a specialized database, similar to AutoCAD. This database becomes a crucial asset, maintaining a comprehensive record of project specifics. It offers both UPM and the client valuable insights into the project’s execution and demographics and aids in creating detailed blueprints necessary for the construction phase.

Following the database entry, the focus is on finalizing the blueprints. A critical aspect of the process is managing permit procedures. UPM efficiently compiles and submits permit packages to the appropriate authorities, actively following up until clearance is obtained and all the required permits are in place. This facilitates access to project areas and expedites the construction process.

During construction, constant communication is prioritized with meetings between UPM, the client, and all governmental entities, with regular discussions to resolve issues, enabling prompt adjustments and ensuring the project's smooth progression and success.

From Salvage to Success

Dennis Paulson, Owner and OSP Executive Director of Field Engineering, says, "Our name is not merely a title; it reflects our confidence, backed by profound expertise."

UPM's capability was demonstrated when it was called on to rectify a project that another vendor had mishandled. Facing challenges and substandard work, the client turned to UPM for help. The task was complex, necessitating rectification and rebuilding of existing infrastructure that had encountered substantial issues. Under UPM's guidance, the several hundred-mile project saw tremendous success within a year. While at the same time UPM was assigned to restructure and rebuild the Dixie Fire, one of the biggest fire disasters in the United States, covering over 5 counties in Northern California. The UPM team showcased remarkable resilience and expertise, successfully salvaging and reconstructing the troubled projects.

Despite the challenges of correcting pre-existing work, UPM met and exceeded expectations, resulting in excellent client satisfaction. The project's successful completion ultimately averted all City and County issues for the client and cemented a long-lasting relationship.

UPM’s success stems from its internal collaboration and knowledge sharing culture, which fosters continuous improvement. The company's open-door policy and an environment that encourages positive challenges enable employees to seek advice, exchange ideas, and collectively contribute to the success of their projects.

Innovative Minds

The executive leadership team has extensive experience and expertise from their tenures in the telecommunications and infrastructure sectors, and power company regulations on a national level. This diverse background endows the team with an in-depth understanding of both industries, enabling them to manage safety and efficiency in infrastructure projects. An impressive portfolio includes successful fiber builds in many US states, such as Arizona and California.

The company's dedication to excellence is evident in its methodical approach to onboarding new team members. UPM relies on Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and templates to ensure consistency and professionalism in all projects.

UPM's leadership is characterized by its motivational and adept approach, creating a positive work environment that contributes to success. It actively cultivates a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, as evidenced by various events such as: Company Celebrity Golf Tournaments, Company Trips to local Fairs, employee Barbeques, team building outings, and holiday parties. UPM continues to display a strong commitment to a workplace culture that values and supports its employees, which promotes team unity. Employee appreciation is a cornerstone of UPM's ethos.

"We are the future of telecommunications,” Paulson concludes. “Our confidence stems from the extensive training highly skilled professionals provide."

This statement reflects more than confidence; it signifies UPM’s commitment to being at the forefront of the telecommunications industry, guided by a transformative vision.